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The Downtown Association is the Santa Claus of the summer music scene. Every year, Asheville knows its getting a free outdoor music series, but listeners have to wait to find out exactly what talent Downtown After 5 will bring to town.

Now we know.

This year, we get familiar hits from Cracker, the well-known garage/alt-rockers who have morphed into indie-country crooners in recent years, and Anderson East, a Nashville up-and-comer who made headlines when he began dating Miranda Lambert in December.

“I think there’s a lot of diversity of genres, and I think there will be a little bit of fun for everybody," said Meghan Rogers, executive director of the Downtown Association.

Concerts take place on the third Friday of every month, May through September.

The series begins on May 20 with headliner CHA WA, a New Orleans-based funk and blues group led by traditional Mardi Gras Indians. Expect to hear familiar NOLA tunes such as "Jock-A-Mo" (better known as "Iko Iko") and Dr. John's "All on a Mardi Gras Day" as well as original songs from the band's latest album, "Funk 'n' Feathers."

"They look like they put on just a really fun live show, traditional Mardi Gras Indian garb and chanting mixed with funk," Rogers said.

Jeff Thompson Band, a local New Orleans roots group, opens the May 20 event.

On June 17, Futurebirds from Athens, Georgia, bring high-energy country rock to Asheville. The stripped-down rock sound features four-part harmonies and pedal steel guitar. Asheville's Raising Caine will open that show.

Anderson East, who sings soul and R&B-infused country, headlines on July 15. He's a rising star who is touring extensively this summer. Some of his tour dates include appearances with Grammy winner Chris Stapleton.

Sweet Claudette, a local country group known for incredible harmonies, opens for East. It's an Asheville super-group made up of Amanda Anne Platt of The Honeycutters, Amber Lyle Sims, Dulci Ellenberger of Holy Ghost Tent Revival and Melissa Hyman of The Moon and You.

In accordance with Downtown After 5 tradition, the Asheville All Stars headline on Aug. 19. The members of that group change every year. It only exists in the context of Downtown After 5. The Downtown Association creates a consortium of some of Asheville's finest players.

Local students from Asheville Music School and LEAF Community Arts programs open the show.

The grand finale show on Sept. 16 features Cracker, a band best known for its grunge rock work in the early '90s, particularly the song "Low," which most people will recognize for the refrain, "Hey, hey, hey, it's like getting stoned."

Since the success of that single, Cracker has evolved into an alt-country group. Its latest album, "Berkeley to Bakersfield," features the group's original lineup. Critics looked favorably on its ambitious concept and dark humor.

The local blues/punk fusion group Dirty Badger will open the final show in the series.

Downtown After 5 sticks to a simple formula that draws crowds of about 7,500 people to the outdoor stage flanked by beer stands and food trucks on Lexington Avenue. The kids area will also return this year.

The Downtown Association partners with five local nonprofits to sell beer wristbands at the event. Each one receives a $2,000 grant for its work. This year, the nonprofit partners include Asheville GreenWorks, Asheville Music School, CarePartners, Homeward Bound and the YMI Cultural Center.

Prestige Subaru sponsors the annual event series, which has provided more than $100,000 to area nonprofits during its 27 previous iterations.